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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Committees - Valley Regional Planning Commission - 03/28/1963 - Valley Industr;al Commiss;on REPRESENTING THE INDUSTRIAL-SITE CENTERS OF THE GREEN RIVER VALLEY REPRESENTING THE MAYORS OF AUBURN • KENT • RENTON • TUKWILA Wells McCurdy Alfred Knechtel Baldwin Sammis President Vice President Secretary MINUTES VALLEY INDUSTRIAL COMMISSION, February 28, 1963 Renton City Hall In the absence of President Wells McCurdy, Vice President Al Knechtel called the meeting to order at 8:15 p.m. , and Minutes of the previous meeting were accepted as mailed. Charles Baker reported on the Legislative Committee. There are still 22 bills in Olympia concerning Urban Government, and there has been no action to this point. It is rather doubtful that any action will occur on these bills in this session and though the Legislative Committee has not gone to Olympia, they are watching the progress of the legislature and will go to Olympia to express the VIC feelings if some of the bills appear for action. The 10 mayors are in unison on the 22 bills being considered. Mr. Herman of the King County Planning Commission, remarked that the flood control bill under consideration at Olympia was probably concerning the watershed flood protection, so that the State would take advantage of the new, higher federal matching funds available. Dave Jensen and Charles McGarrigle of Renton reported in detail of the road problems and suggestions for alleviating some of the problems that Renton has under consideration. It was pointed out that Renton has 10 major roads that feed Renton. More specifically, Valley Road Intersection, Grady Way or 1-L, Dunlap Canyon Road, RainierAvenue, Renton Skyway, Cemetary Road and Maple Valley Highway. There is a definite need for a major east to west and north to south routing to supplement the freeway construction and to aid in the elimination of the problems that will be caused in traffic flow by the freeways. Boeing workers average 1. 2 to 1. 3 people per car. John Graham & Associates has been employed by Renton to study the downtown traffic problems and help the Renton Planning Division in aiding the traffic solution. George Schuler, Auburn Planning Director, reported on the announced in- dustrial parks, the 360 acre Auburn Industrial Park by Landmark Properties, Puget Sound Planners, Austin and Co. as announced in the December 11 Seattle Times. He also reported on the announced plans and particulars con- cerning the former Auburn General Depot property, 480, 000 square feet of warehouse and two parcels of property with trackage running over 300 acres. Scott Paper Co. is leasing 320, 000 square feet at present, and Pacific Car A 2. Minutes VIC, February 28, 1963 & Foundry are leasing 160, 000 sq. ft. Auburn 1962 building permits were over 2 million dollars, and Auburn enjoyed a 10% or better population in- crease last year. Mayor Thorton of Kent commented that Kent's 1962 building permits were in excess of 2 million dollars. Mr. Baker commented that Tukwila's permits exceeded 2 million dollars in 1962. Mr. Herman had a South King County road and area map and will have some more information next meeting. He stated a question that each member city should consider, "how up-to-date is your zoning and building codes ? While they have been done by planners and consultants, have they been updated to the present?" The County's 1958 Comprehensive Plan is all but defunct, and only the text is used at present until a new updated plan is accepted, the text being the only legal guide now on record. Mr. Herman said that zoning ahead of use has some benefits, but development does not occur until later and does not necessarily follow the suggested zoning plans as layout and thoughts outlined at the time of code enactment. Discussion of zoning and placement of zoning on a certain piece of property prior to development often prohibits development of an area, because of the high price that is immediately placed on the property due to the fact that it has been given the zoning. In a number of cases where the officials do not want a development to occur be- cause of traffic or residential building problems, the best way to forstall commercial development would be to place such a zoning on the property, and the price would go so far out of reach that development would never occur. Mayor Shaunessey asked if the various City Councils had ratified the resolu- tion forming the Valley Industrial Planning Commission. He was informed that all had except Renton. Renton had accepted the resolution in principle with exception of the reference to members. Mr. Jensen stated they thought the wording of two members was not flexible enough , and Mr. Jensen was to call Mr. Ehrlichman and find out if the wording had been changed to the necessity of at least two City representatives, but to include the planning directors and appointments by each mayor. Noel Bicknell was requested to talk to Mr. Jensen and Mr. Ehrlichman to straighten out Renton's objections to the resolution. Mr. Pat Hogue said that the VIC should immediately protest the 2 laning of the Valley Freeway. At a recent meeting between officials of Kent and 10 citizens in Olympia (meeting at dinner with the State Highway officials and their House members and Senators), it was stated that the Valley Freeway would be 2 lanes at present and probably for 6 years. Mr. Hogue pointed out that the need to help on the traffic problems out in the Valley will meet with the same success that has been so aggravating on the PS No. 1 Highway be- tween Kennydale and Factoria. Mr. Hogue said that the VIC should push to have the 4 lanes paved and operating before the freeway is open. Mr. Ken Weeks made a motion seconded by Mr. Hogue to have Mr. Segale, the Roads 3. Minutes VIC, February, 1963 and Bridges Chairman, prepare a resolution to the Highway Department that the "Valley Freeway be 4 lanes of paved road at the opening. " The Chambers of Commerce of the 4 cities were requested to make similar resolutions and send them to Olympia. Meeting was adjourned at 9:35 p.m. ATTENDANCE Lyle Sandelius Charles O. Baker G. Y. McGarrigle Alex Thorton David Jensen Kenneth F. Weeks Gerald P. Herman Shannon Hogue George Schuler Robert Argue Alfred E. Knechtel Norman M. Anderson Baldwin Sammie Holger A. Tostoy J. N. Shaughnessy PLEASE NOTE The next meeting on March 28, 1963 will be held at the Tukwila City Hall at 8.00 p.m.